Floor covering

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a floor covering formed of hard panels ( 2 ) which are provided, at least on two opposite edges ( 3-4, 5-6 ), with coupling devices ( 7 ) made in one piece with the panels ( 2 ), whereby these coupling devices ( 7 ) provide for an interlocking in a direction (R 1 ) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering ( 1 ), as well as in a direction (R 2 ) perpendicular to the edges ( 3-4, 5-6 ) concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering ( 1 ). These coupling devices ( 7 ) comprise a tongue ( 8 ) and a groove ( 9 ). The lip ( 11 ) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove ( 9 ) is longer than the lip ( 10 ) on the top side. The edge ( 5 ) which is provided with the tongue ( 8 ) is made elastically flexible.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a floor covering, in particular of thetype consisting of hard panels.

In particular, it concerns a floor covering formed of laminate panels,also called laminate parquet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that such laminate panels can be made of different layers.Usually, the panels are formed of boards having a wood basis, such aschipboard or fiberboard, in particular MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)or HDF (High Density Fiberboard), upon which one or several layers,including a decorative layer, are provided at least on the top side. Thedecorative layer may be a printed paper layer, but in certainembodiments it may just as well be a layer of wood, in particularveneer. Such panels can also be made of other materials, for examplemerely synthetic material, or of a base plate on the basis of wood, suchas chipboard, MDF or HDF and the like, upon which is provided, insteadof a printed paper layer or veneer, another material such as cork, thinstrips of wood and the like.

It is also known to couple these panels on their edges as they are laid,either by means of a conventional tongue and groove joint, whereby theyare possibly glued together, either by means of a glueless couplingwhich provides for a mutual interlocking of the panels both in thehorizontal and vertical direction, for example as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,006,486.

The present invention aims a floor covering of hard panels, inparticular laminate panels, which provides for new embodiments accordingto different aspects offering respective advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides for a floor coveringcomprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided, at least ontwo opposite edges, with coupling means made in one piece with thepanels, so that several of such panels can be mutually coupled, wherebythese coupling means provide for an interlocking in a directionperpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in adirection perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the planeof the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue anda groove and whereby the lip which is situated on the bottom side of thegroove, hereafter called the lower lip, is longer than the lip on thetop side, hereafter called the upper lip, characterized in that the edgewhich is provided with the tongue, is made flexible.

As the edge onto which the tongue is provided is elastically flexible,deflections arising during the coupling of the panels are absorbed bythis edge, and the above-mentioned upper lip is safeguarded againstlarge deflections, as a result of which the material cannot possiblysplit due to the bending of the lower lip.

The lower lip is preferably even made rigid, by making it sufficientlythick, so that any bending in this lip is entirely excluded.

According to a first possibility, the above-mentioned flexibility isobtained by making at least the tongue elastically flexible. Accordingto a second possibility, which is preferably combined with the firstone, and which contributes even more to the required flexibility beingobtained, the tongue is situated on a part which is connected to theactual panel via a flexible zone in the shape of a local constriction.

Specific advantages of the embodiment according to the first aspect arefurther explained in the following detailed description.

The coupling means are preferably made such that they allow the panelsto be coupled by pushing them laterally towards one another.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides for a floorcovering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided withcoupling means on at least two opposite edges, as a result of whichseveral of such panels can be mutually coupled to one another, wherebythese coupling means provide for an interlocking in a directionperpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in adirection perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to theplane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise atongue and a groove and whereby the lip situated on the bottom side ofthe groove, hereafter called the lower lip, is longer than the lip onthe top side, hereafter called the upper lip, characterized in that thecoupling means consist at least of first coupling parts, formed ofcontact surfaces working in conjunction with one another, on the topside of the tongue and the bottom side of the upper lip respectively;second coupling parts formed of contact surfaces, on the top side of thelower lip and an opposite part of the other panel respectively; andthird coupling parts providing for the horizontal interlocking, whichare situated on the lower lip, yet further than the free end of theupper lip, whereby these third coupling parts are situated between thefirst and second ones.

As a result, the vertical forces which are created when walking over thefloor covering, are divided over two places, which results in a betterdistribution of the forces.

The third coupling parts preferably consist of an inwardly directedcontact surface provided near the free end of the lower lip, on thislip, and a contact surface working in conjunction with it which isformed on the other panel.

The second coupling parts preferably consist of a contact surface formedon the top side of the free end of the lower lip, as well as a contactsurface working in conjunction with it on the bottom side of the otherpanel.

Moreover, a free space is preferably provided under the tongue extendingas of the tip of the tongue up to the third coupling parts. As a result,the tongue can be put more easily in the groove, without having to takevery precise tolerances into account.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides for a floor coveringcomprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with couplingmeans on at least two opposite edges, so that several of such panels canbe mutually coupled, whereby these coupling means provide for aninterlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floorcovering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concernedand parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said couplingmeans comprise a tongue and a groove and whereby the lip which issituated on the bottom side of the groove, hereafter called the lowerlip, is longer than the lip on the top side, hereafter called the upperlip, characterized in that the coupling means consist at least of firstcoupling parts formed of contact surfaces working in conjunction withone another, on the top side of the tongue and the bottom side of theupper lip respectively; second coupling parts formed of contactsurfaces, on the top side of the lower lip and an opposite part of theother panel respectively; and third coupling parts which provide for thehorizontal interlocking situated on the lower lip, yet further than thefree end of the upper lip, whereby the second coupling parts aresituated between the first and the third ones, and whereby these secondcoupling parts consist of contact surfaces working in conjunction withone another and defining a local contact zone situated in the middle orpractically in the middle between the tip of the tongue and the thirdcoupling parts.

By making use of such a local contact zone, there remains a spacebetween this zone and the tip of the tongue, on the bottom side of thelatter, which makes sure that there is freedom of movement for thetongue when the panels are joined.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides for a floorcovering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided withcoupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with thepanels, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutuallycoupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for aninterlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floorcovering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edgesconcerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby saidcoupling means comprise a tongue and a groove, characterized in that thelip situated on the top side of the groove, hereafter called the upperlip, is longer than the lip situated on the bottom side of the groove,hereafter called the lower lip, and in that the above-mentioned couplingmeans contain coupling parts which provide for the interlocking in thehorizontal direction, whereby these coupling parts consist at least ofcontact surfaces working in conjunction with one another, provided onthe bottom side of the upper lip, outside the distal end of the lowerlip, and on the opposite part of the edge of the other panelrespectively.

As the interlocking takes place on the upper lip, it is easier to checkthe reliability of the interlocking while the floor is being laid thanin the case where the interlocking takes place on the lower lip.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention provides for a floor coveringcomprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with couplingmeans on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels,as a result of which several of such panels can be mutually coupled toone another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking ina direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well asin a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to theplane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise atongue and a groove, characterized in that the lip situated on the topside of the groove, hereafter called the upper lip, is longer than thelip situated on the bottom side of the groove, hereafter called thelower lip, and in that the above-mentioned coupling means containcoupling parts which provide for the interlocking in the horizontaldirection, whereby these coupling parts make it possible for thesepanels to be mutually disconnected by turning them down toward theirbottom side and towards one another.

Thanks to the use of coupling means which make it possible for thepanels to be disconnected by turning them downward, and preferably to beexclusively disconnectable by this movement, is obtained that suchpanels fit particularly tight on the coupling means concerned, and arepushed even closer towards one another when being walked on.

The panels are hereby preferably rectangular, and they are provided withcoupling means on two pairs of edges which make it possible for thepanels to be disconnected by means of an upward rotation in order to beunlocked, whereas, on the other pair of edges, as mentioned above, theyare provided with coupling means which only allow for a disconnection byturning the coupled panels with their bottom side towards one another.Also the opposite turning movements increase the guarantee that such acoupling remains always available.

It should be noted that in the case of longitudinal panels, the couplingmeans which allow for a disconnection by turning the panels upward arepreferably provided on the longitudinal sides, whereas the couplingmeans which allow for a disconnection by turning the panels down, arepreferably provided on the shortest sides.

According to a sixth aspect, the invention provides for a floor coveringcomprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with couplingmeans on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels,as a result of which several of such panels can be mutually coupled toone another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking ina direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well asin a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to theplane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise atongue and a groove, characterized in that the interlocking in thehorizontal direction is at least formed of coupling parts in the shapeof a local protrusion in the top side of the above-mentioned tongue,which meshes in a recess in the lip which borders the top side of thegroove.

An advantage of this embodiment consists in that, since the protrusionis local, the recess can also have relatively small dimensions, and theupper lip is only weakened locally.

According to the sixth aspect, there is preferably no interlocking inthe horizontal direction on the lower lip.

According to a seventh aspect, the invention provides for a floorcovering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided withcoupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with thepanels, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutuallycoupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for aninterlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floorcovering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edgesconcerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, and whereby:

the above-mentioned coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove,whereby this groove is bordered by a lip on the bottom side, the topside respectively, hereafter called the lower lip and the upper liprespectively, whereby the distal end of the upper lip defines orintersects a vertical plane, hereafter called plane V1;

the lower lip is longer than the upper lip;

there is an interlocking part on the part of the lower lip which extendspast the free end of the upper lip, with a contact surface which, whencoupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface which is providedon the other panel, whereby these contact surfaces form a contact zonewhen coupled, whose center defines or intersects a vertical plane,hereafter called plane V2;

before the above-mentioned interlocking part, in the direction of thegroove, is formed a space in the lower lip which is open on the topside;

in the coupled situation, there is a contact zone in the cross sectionin which the top side of the tongue makes contact with the bottom sideof the upper lip, whereby the point of this contact zone which issituated most inwardly defines or intersects a first vertical plane,hereafter called plane V3, the most outwardly situated point of thiscontact zone defines or intersects a second vertical plane, hereaftercalled plane V4, and both planes V3 and V4 define a vertical planesituated right in between, hereafter called plane V5;

the top side of the interlocking part defines a horizontal level,hereafter called level N1;

the bottom side of the part upon which the tongue is provided and whichextends from the tip of the tongue to the interlocking zone, defines ahorizontal level, hereafter called level N2;

the levels N1 and N2 define a horizontal level situated right inbetween, hereafter called level N3;

the average height of the contact zones between the top side of thetongue and the bottom side of the upper lip define a horizontal level,hereafter called level N4;

the distance between the planes V1 and V2 is at least half of thedistance between the levels N3 and N4;

characterized in that the floor covering further provides at least incombination the following characteristics:

that the panels, and basically also the above-mentioned lips, are madeof fiberboard of the type MDF or HDF;

that the coupling means are made such that the panels can be assembledby pushing them towards one another; and

that the above-mentioned space extends to beneath the upper lip, suchthat this space is in conformity with at least one of the following twocharacteristics:

a) that the part of this space which is situated under the level N3extends inwardly to at least past the plane V1;

b) that the part of this space which is situated under the level N1extends inwardly to at least past the plane V5.

When all the above-mentioned criteria are met, an embodiment is obtainedaccording to the invention whereby the above-mentioned space isrelatively large compared to the other parameters on the one hand, and,thanks to the specific application of the MDF or HDF material, thestructure nevertheless remains sufficiently stable on the other hand.The relatively large space which is formed in the lower lip offers theadvantage that the tongue can be located in the groove more easily, aswell as the advantage that the tongue can be made relatively massive.

According to a particular embodiment, this floor covering ischaracterized in that the panels are rectangular and in that couplingmeans are formed on both pairs of edges which offer an interlocking inthe horizontal and vertical direction, whereby these coupling means areformed as mentioned above on at least one pair of said edges, andwhereby on at least two edges intersecting at right angles to oneanother, use is made of a groove which is bordered by an upper lip and alower lip respectively, whereby the lower lip each time protrudesfurther than the upper lip, such that two such longer lips meet in atleast one angle of the panel, whereby at least the above-mentioned spacecontinues up to the end of the panel in said angle, in other wordsextends through the far end of the lip standing at right angles. As theabove-mentioned space is made continuous, also a large flexibility canbe guaranteed in the angle concerned, as the interlocking parts of thelongitudinally directed lower lip and the transversely directed lowerlip are then disconnected by this continuous recess.

According to an eight aspect, the invention provides for a floorcovering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided withcoupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with thepanels, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutuallycoupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for aninterlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floorcovering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edgesconcerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, and whereby:

the above-mentioned coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove,whereby this groove is bordered by a lip on the bottom side, the topside respectively, hereafter called the lower lip and the upper liprespectively;

the lower lip is longer than the upper lip;

there is an interlocking part on the part of the lower lip which extendspast the free end of the upper lip, with a contact surface which, whencoupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface which is providedon the other panel; and

before the above-mentioned interlocking part, in the direction of thegroove, is formed a space in the lower lip which is open on the topside;

characterized in that the coupling means are made such that the panelscan be assembled by pushing them towards one another while in agenerally common place, and in that in the bottom side of the part ontowhich the tongue is provided, and which extends from the tip of thetongue up to the interlocking zone, is provided a depression, such thatthis depression co-operates with the interlocking part in a position atwhich the tongue is situated in front of the groove. Thus is obtainedthat, while the tongue is being fit in, the interlocking part is locatedin the depression, so that the tongue is better positioned in front ofthe groove of the other panel.

The floor coverings consisting of hard panels known until now, and whichallow for a glueless interlocking, do not make it possible totemporarily remove panels from the middle of the floor covering afterthe floor covering has been entirely laid. This is disadvantageous inthat it is difficult to replace damaged panels, as well as impossible tolocally remove the floor covering, for example to work on or in therough floor, to lay or remove cables under the floor covering, etc. Withthe known systems, the panels always need to be systematically removedfrom an edge of the floor covering.

Also, according to a ninth aspect, the invention aims a floor coveringmade of hard panels, whereby it is possible to remove any panelwhatsoever from an existing floor covering, and to put it back, withoutthe floor covering having to be systematically broken up from an edge ofthe whole.

According to this ninth aspect, the invention to this end provides for afloor covering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are providedwith coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piecewith the panels, as a result of which several of such panels can bemutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means providefor an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of thefloor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edgesconcerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby theabove-mentioned coupling means are made such that two coupled panels,starting from a flat position, can be turned towards one another withtheir bottom sides over at least a certain angle on the one hand, andthis turning movement makes it possible for said two panels to beremoved from in between adjacent panels on the other hand.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the coupling means are madesuch that they make it possible for the two panels, when they aresituated in a floor covering, to be lifted with their coupled edges,such that there is a disconnection on at least one of the opposite edgesproviding for a connection with the adjacent panels.

According to a second preferred embodiment, the coupling means are madesuch that they make it possible for the two panels, when they aresituated in a floor covering, to be lifted with their coupled edges,such that the coupling, in particular the vertical coupling, isinterrupted on the edges concerned and a disconnection becomes possible.

According to a particularly practical embodiment, the floor covering ischaracterized in that the coupling means mainly consist of a tongue anda groove, whereby the lip which is situated on the bottom side of thegroove is longer than the lip on the top side, and the interlocking isobtained mainly in the horizontal direction thanks to an interlockingpart on the lip situated on the bottom side of the groove and aninterlocking part working in conjunction with it on the bottom side ofthe other panel, whereby these coupling means make it possible for thepanels to be assembled by means of a turning movement and whereby, inthe coupled position, spaces are provided above the first-mentionedinterlocking part as well as under the second-mentioned interlockingpart which allow for a further turning movement.

The above-described nine aspects of the invention may occurindependently or they can be mutually combined, in any possiblecombination, provided the embodiments as described according to theabove-mentioned nine aspects do not have conflicting characteristics.

Naturally, the invention also concerns the panels themselves with whichthe above-described floor coverings can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, thefollowing preferred embodiments are described as an example only withoutbeing limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a hard panel;

FIG. 2 schematically represents a part of a floor covering made of hardpanels;

FIG. 3 represents an embodiment of coupling means applied in a floorcovering according to the invention, seen from a section whichcorresponds for example to section III—III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents a section according to line IV—IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 represents a variant of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 to 8 represent the coupling means from FIG. 3 in differentpositions;

FIG. 9 represents a variant of the coupling means from FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 represents another variant;

FIGS. 11 to 13 represent the variant from FIG. 10 in differentpositions;

FIG. 14 represents another variant;

FIG. 15 represents yet another variant;

FIGS. 16 and 17 represent the coupling means of FIG. 15 in two otherpositions;

FIG. 18 represents an angular part of a panel according to theinvention;

FIG. 19 represents a section of another embodiment according to theinvention;

FIG. 20 represents a section of another embodiment of a floor coveringaccording to the invention;

FIG. 21 represents the part indicated by F21 in FIG. 20 on a largerscale;

FIG. 22 represents how the panels of the floor covering from FIG. 20 canbe disconnected and connected respectively;

FIG. 23 represents the part indicated by F23 in FIG. 22 on a largerscale;

FIG. 24 represents a view analogous to that in FIG. 21 for anothervariant;

FIG. 25 represents how the panels of FIG. 24 can be mutuallydisconnected and connected respectively;

FIG. 26 represents the part indicated by F26 in FIG. 25 on a largerscale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention concerns a floor covering1, as well as the hard panels 2 of which such a floor covering 1 ismade.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,486, it is known that such panels 2can be connected without any glue being required by making use ofcoupling means which, when the panels 2 are rectangular, provide for aninterlocking in a direction R1, perpendicular to the plane of the floorcovering 1, at least on one pair of opposite edges 3-4, and preferablyon both pairs of edges 3-4, 5-6 respectively, as well as in a directionR2 perpendicular to the edges 3-4 or 5-6 concerned, and parallel to theplane of the floor covering 1.

Coupling means can be used hereby which allow for different couplingmethods, but preferably a coupling by rotating as well as by pushing thepanels together while in a generally common plane. The latter makes itpossible for such panels 2 to be coupled to one another in a knownmanner by first rotating them into one another on their edges 3-4, asrepresented by means of the panel 2A in FIG. 2 with a movement ofrotation W1, and by subsequently snapping them together on their edges5-6 by means of a translation motion T1. According to a variant, theconnection on the edges 3-4 of the panels 2 concerned, can also berealized by starting from a position as is schematically indicated byreference 2B, and by coupling the panel 2 concerned by means of atranslation T2.

Also, while a panel 2A is maintained in the rotated position, afollowing panel 2C can be coupled to the edges 5 and 6 concerned, eitherby means of a translation T3, or by means of a mutual rotation betweenthe panels 2A and 2C, after which both panels 2A and 2C are then turneddown so as to be locked to the preceding row of panels.

As mentioned in the introduction, the present invention providesdifferent new embodiments of coupling means to mutually connect suchpanels 2.

FIG. 3 represents an embodiment according to the above-mentioned firstaspect of the invention.

Also, in this embodiment, the floor covering 1 comprises hard panels 2which are provided with coupling means 7 made in one piece with thepanels 2 on at least two opposite edges, in this case 5-6, so thatseveral of such panels 2 can be mutually connected to one another. Thesecoupling means 7 provide for an interlocking in the direction R1, aswell as R2.

Further, these coupling means 7 have a tongue 8 provided on the edge 5,and a groove 9 provided on the edge 6, in which the tongue 8 fits. Thegroove 9 is hereby bordered on the top side by means of a lip 10,hereafter called the upper lip. At the bottom, it is bordered by a lip11, hereafter called the lower lip, which is longer than the top lip 10,in other words, which extends further than the distal end 12 of the lip10 in the horizontal direction away from groove 9.

The interlocking in the direction R2 is obtained as the lower lip 11forms an interlocking part 13 with an inwardly directed contact surface14 which can co-operate with an opposite contact surface 15 formed onthe edge 5 when being coupled.

According to the invention, the panel edge 5 which is provided with thetongue 8 is made elastically flexible, whereas the lip 11 is preferablymade rigid, the latter by making it relatively thick, as is clearlyvisible in FIG. 3.

The panel edge 5 is made such that it can elastically bend in severalplaces. Thus, for example, the tongue 8 is flexible, but even moreimportant is that this tongue 8 is preferably situated on a part 16, asrepresented, which is connected to the actual panel 2 via a flexiblezone 17 in the shape of a local constriction or reduced cross-section.

This flexible zone 17 is preferably situated on the place as indicatedin FIG. 3, in other words seen as of the tongue 8, past the contactsurface 15, and said flexible zone 17 has a thickness D1, according tothe direction R1, which is smaller than half the thickness of the panels2 and/or smaller than ⅔ of the thickness D2 of the part 16 upon whichthe tongue 8 is situated.

If the panels 2 are made of fiberboard, of the type MDF or HDF, thethickness D1 is preferably even smaller than 3 mm, and better stillsmaller than 2 mm.

The flexible zone 17 is situated against the top side 18 of the panel 2concerned, which is particularly useful when MDF or HDF board is used,as such materials have a larger density on the outer surfaces, and thusthe thickness on these places can be maximally reduced so as to obtainan optimal flexibility.

Apart from the advantages already mentioned in the introduction, theinvention according to the first aspect also offers the followingadvantageous characteristics:

As the contact surface 14 is situated relatively high, said contactsurface 14 can be provided in a more vertical position, without muchdeviation from the tangential directions B1 and B2 represented in FIG.3. Thus is obtained a solid interlocking.

As the flexibility of the connection is situated in the top side of thepanel, this results in the interlocking being pulled even more tightlytogether when a tensile force is exerted on the panels.

In the design of FIG. 3 is created a stress concentration on the topside of the panel 2, right behind the tongue 8, which results in abending. As a consequence, the stress concentration is transferred tothe strongest place of the board. During the joining, it is practicallyimpossible for forces to be created in the deepest point of a groove 9,so that it is almost excluded that splits are created at this deepestpoint.

According to the above-mentioned second aspect of the invention, whichin the given example of FIG. 3 is combined with the above-mentionedfirst aspect, the coupling means 7 consist at least of first couplingparts formed of contact surfaces 19-20 working in conjunction with oneanother, on the top side of the tongue 8 and the bottom side of theupper lip 10 respectively; second coupling parts formed of contactsurfaces 21-22, on the top side of the lower lip 11 and the oppositepart 16 of the other panel 2 respectively; and third coupling partswhich provide for the horizontal interlocking situated on the lower lip11, but further than the free end 12 of the upper lip 10, formed of theabove-mentioned contact surfaces 14 and 15. What is special here, isthat the third coupling parts are situated between the first and thesecond ones.

The second coupling parts are preferably situated immediately next tothe third coupling parts. The contact surface 21 is hereby formed of thetop side of the above-mentioned interlocking part 13, whereas thecontact surface 22 is situated precisely opposite to it.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, there is a free space 23 underthe tongue 8 which extends as of the tip 24 of the tongue 8 up to thethird coupling parts, in other words the contact surface 14.

The coupling means 7 are mainly designed to be provided on one pair ofedges 5-6, whereas coupling means 25 are preferably provided on theother edges 3-4, as represented in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, which are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,486 and which make it possible for the panels 2concerned to be assembled along their top edges, disassembledrespectively, at least by means of a movement of rotation. In the casewhere the panels 2, as represented, are longitudinal, the coupling means7 will preferably be provided on the short edges 5-6.

The above-described arrangement does not exclude, however, that thecoupling means 7 may be provided on both pairs of edges 3-4 and 5-6, oron the longitudinal edges 3-4, whereas another connection is providedfor on the short edges.

Nor is it excluded to provide the panels 2 on merely one pair of edgeswith coupling means, in this case the coupling means 7.

Further, the coupling means 7 are preferably made such that the panels 2with their edges concerned, in this case the edges 5 and 6, can beconnected to one another by pushing the panels 2 freely towards oneanother, as is represented step by step in FIGS. 6 to 8, and as will befurther described into more detail. Moreover, the coupling means 7 aremade such that the edges concerned, in this case the edges 5 and 6, canalso be connected to one another by means of a movement of rotation, anddisconnected, respectively, as is represented by means of a dot and dashline in FIG. 3.

The laying of the floor covering 1, with panels 2 containing couplingmeans 7, can then for example, yet not necessarily, be carried out asfollows. In a situation as represented in FIG. 2, the panel 2A is firstconnected with its edge 3 to an edge 4 of already laid panels bypresenting the panel 2A at an angle and by rotating the above-mentionededges 3-4 into one another, so that a connection such as for example inFIG. 4, or, as an alternative, FIG. 5, is created.

Then, the panel 2A can be connected to the preceding panel with atranslation T1, whereby the situations as represented in FIGS. 6 to 8are successively observed on the coupling means 7. It is clear that thisis accompanied by an elastic bending in the tongue 8, and to a largerextent also in the flexible zone 17, whereby the part 16 with thecontact surface 15 finally snaps down behind the contact surface 14.

FIG. 9 represents an embodiment which is realized according to theabove-mentioned third aspect of the invention. The coupling means 26used hereby represent first coupling parts analogous to the couplingmeans 7, formed by contact surfaces 19 and 20, and third coupling partsformed by contact surfaces 14 and 15. What is special hereby, is thatthe above-mentioned second coupling parts are situated between the firstand third ones, and that the second coupling parts consist of contactsurfaces 27-28 working in conjunction with one another and which definea local contact zone 29 which is situated in the middle or practicallyin the middle between the tip 24 of the tongue 8 and the third couplingparts, in other words the contact surface 14.

As represented in FIG. 9, a bulge 30 can be provided in the lower lip 11on the contact zone 29.

FIGS. 10 to 13 represent an embodiment for different positions withcoupling means 31 which are in conformity with the above-mentionedfourth aspect of the invention. The upper lip 10 is hereby longer thanthe lower lip 11, and the coupling means which realize the interlockingin the horizontal direction consist of coupling parts formed of contactsurfaces 32-33 working in conjunction with one another, which areprovided on the bottom side of the upper lip 10, outside the distal endof the lower lip 11, and on the opposite part of the edge of the otherpanel 2 respectively.

The coupling means 31 are hereby made such that the connection can berealized by pushing the panels 2 towards one another with the edges 5-6concerned, for example over a base, whereby they systematically fit intoone another, as represented in FIGS. 10 to 12.

As shown in the figures, the tongue 8 has one end 24 which has been madethinner. There is also a free space 35 between the free end 36 of thelower lip 11 and the opposite part 37 under the tongue 8 of the otherpanel 2.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13 also illustrates the fifth aspect ofthe invention, in other words that the edges, in this case the edges5-6, are provided with coupling means 31 which make it possible for thepanels 2 concerned to be mutually disconnected by rotating them towardstheir bottom sides 38 and towards one another, as is specifically shownin FIG. 13. The above-mentioned space 35 is helpful thereby.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13 also corresponds to the sixth aspect ofthe invention, characterized in that the interlocking in the horizontaldirection is formed of coupling parts in the shape of a local protrusion39 in the top side 40 of the above-mentioned tongue 8, which meshes in arecess 41 in the upper lip 10.

FIG. 14 represents a variant which also applies the above-mentionedcharacteristics of the sixth aspect of the invention.

Other particularities of this embodiment, which must not all be combinedaccording to variants which are not represented, consist in that the topside 40 of the tongue 8, with the exception of the local protrusion 39,is mainly parallel to the surface of the floor covering 1, and in thatthe bottom side 42 of the tongue 8 is mainly formed of a smoothly bentsurface which reaches up to the top side 40 of the tongue 8. Also thisembodiment makes it possible for the panels 2 to be assembled by meansof a mainly horizontal movement.

FIG. 15 represents a connection with coupling means 43 realizedaccording to the above-mentioned seventh aspect of the invention. Itconcerns a connection whereby:

the coupling means 43 comprise a tongue 8 and a groove 9, whereby thisgroove 9 is bordered on the bottom side, the top side respectively, by alip, hereafter called the lower lip 11 and the upper lip 10respectively, whereby the distal end 12 of the upper lip 10 defines(i.e., intersects) a vertical plane, hereafter called plane V1;

the lower lip 11 is longer than the upper lip 10;

there is an interlocking part 13 on the part of the lower lip 11 whichextends past the free end 12 of the upper lip 10, with a contact surface14 which, when coupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface 15which is provided on the other panel 2, whereby these contact surfaces14-15 form a contact zone when coupled, whose center M1 intersects avertical plane, hereafter called plane V2;

before the above-mentioned interlocking part 13, in the direction of thegroove 9, is formed an open space 44 in the lower lip 11 which is openon the top side;

in the coupled situation, there is a contact zone in the cross sectionin which the top side of the tongue 8 makes contact with the bottom sideof the upper lip 10, whereby the point C3 of this contact zone which issituated most inwardly intersects a first vertical plane, hereaftercalled plane V3, the most outwardly situated point C4 of this contactzone intersects a second vertical plane, hereafter called plane V4, andboth planes V3 and V4 define a vertical plane situated right in between,hereafter called plane V5;

the top side of the interlocking part 13 defines a horizontal level,hereafter called level N1;

the bottom side of the part 16 upon which the tongue 8 is provided andwhich extends from the tip 24 of the tongue 8 to the interlocking zone,defines a horizontal level, hereafter called level N2;

the levels N1 and N2 define a horizontal level situated right inbetween, hereafter called level N3;

the average height of the contact zone between the top side of thetongue 8 and the bottom side of the upper lip 10 define a horizontallevel, hereafter called level N4;

the distance between the planes V1 and V2 is at least half of thedistance between the levels N3 and N4.

This floor covering 1 is special in that it provides at least in thecombination of the following characteristics:

that the panels 2, and basically also the above-mentioned lips 10-11,are made of fiberboard of the type MDF or HDF;

that the coupling means 43 are made such that the panels 2 can beassembled by pushing them towards one another; and

that the above-mentioned space 44 extends to beneath the upper lip 10,such that this space 44 is in conformity with at least one of thefollowing two characteristics:

a) that the part of this space 44 which is situated under the level N3extends inwardly to at least past the plane V1;

b) that the part of this space 44 which is situated under the level N1extends inwardly to at least past the plane V5.

Thanks to this specific combination is obtained a space 44 which acts asa depression in relation to the other dimensions extending over arelatively large distance in the direction R2, as a result of which theadvantages mentioned in the introduction are obtained. In spite of therelatively large depression and, consequently, the fact that the lowerlip 11 is relatively thin, the rigidity remains nevertheless sufficientthanks to the use of MDF or HDF as a base material, which has a layeredfibrous structure.

The distance between the levels N1 and N2 is preferably smaller than ⅓of the distance between the levels N2 and N4. Thus, the obstructionformed by the interlocking part 13 while the panels are being pushedtogether, is restricted to a minimum, as a result of which the panels 2can smoothly slide into one another.

Further, the intersection P4 between the plane V4 and the bottom side ofthe tongue 8 is situated beneath level N1, seen from a cross section,and better still beneath level N3. The tongue 8 thus obtains arelatively large thickness, which improves its rigidity. Further, it iseven possible for the section P5 between the plane V5 and the bottomside of the tongue 8 to be situated beneath level N1, and better stillbeneath level N3.

In particular, the section P3 between the plane V3 and the bottom sideof the tongue 8 could be situated beneath level N1, and better stillbeneath level N3.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the part ofthe above-mentioned space 44 situated under the plane N3 would extend atleast inwardly up to the vertical plane V6 which is determined by thetip 24 of the tongue 8.

In the case where the panels 2 are rectangular and coupling means areformed on both pairs of edges 3-4 and 5-6 which provide for a verticaland a horizontal interlocking, whereby both edges 4 and 6 have a lowerlip 11, 11A respectively, which is longer than the upper lip 10, atleast the above-mentioned space 44 is preferably made continuous up tothe end of the panel 2, as represented in FIG. 18, in the corner 45, inother words it extends through the far end of the square lip 10A, inparticular the interlocking part 13A thereof. As the space 44 isrelatively large on the one hand, and this space 44 extends through theinterlocking part 13A on the other hand, and the interlocking parts 13and 13A are disconnected from one another, a particularly flexible angleis obtained, which makes it easier to assemble the panels.

FIG. 19 illustrates the above-mentioned eight aspect of the invention,whereby a depression 46 is provided in the bottom side of the tongue 8,such that in the mutual position of the two panels 2 as represented inFIG. 19, the tongue 8 is better positioned in front of the groove.

It should be noted that in all the above-mentioned embodiments, thecontact surfaces providing for the horizontal interlocking arepreferably directed slantingly in relation to the plane of the floorcovering 1. This does not exclude, however, that according to a variant,one or both contact surfaces can also be directed perpendicular to theplane of the floor covering. The contact surfaces can also be bent assuch, whereby the tangent line in the middle of the contact zonedetermines the above-mentioned gradient.

In the case where these contact surfaces, or their tangent line, aredirected slantingly, they preferably extend in a direction which istangential or almost tangential to a circle, whose center is situated ona point of rotation around which the panels 2 can be turned apart. Asindicated in FIG. 3, this means that the gradient or direction B1 of thecontact surfaces deviates only little from the gradient of the tangentB2 onto the circle C.

In order to provide for a snap-in effect, the direction B1 pertaining tothe contact surfaces preferably does deviate from the direction of theabove-mentioned tangent B2 and is directed inwardly, such that a snap-ineffect is created when the panels are rotated into one another, wherebythe above-mentioned direction B1 deviates 30° at the most from theabove-mentioned tangential direction B2.

What precedes can be applied in all the rotatable embodiments describedabove, also in the embodiments whereby the panels 2 are rotated apart byturning them down.

The coupling means which are realized according to one or several of thefirst eight aspects of the invention are all particularly suitable to beprovided on edges 3-4 and/or 5-6, whereby it must be possible toassemble the panels 2 by shifting them.

In the case where the panels 2 are rectangular, in other words square orlongitudinal, they are preferably provided with coupling parts on allfour edges 3-4 and 5-6 which allow for a vertical and a horizontalinterlocking, whereby coupling means as described in one or several ofthe above-mentioned first eight aspects are then provided on at leasttwo opposite edges 3-4 or 5-6.

In the case where the panels 2 are rectangular, the new coupling meansare preferably provided at least on the short edges 5-6. Further,coupling means are then preferably provided on the long edges 3-4 whichallow for an assembly, disassembly respectively by means of a movementof rotation, which can be of a known nature or which can also be madeaccording to any of the above-mentioned eight aspects.

FIGS. 20 to 23 show an embodiment according to the ninth aspect of theinvention. According to this ninth aspect, it concerns a floor covering1, consisting of hard panels 2, whereby these panels 2 are provided onat least two opposite edges, in the case of elongated panels 2preferably on the longitudinal edges 3-4, with coupling means 7 made inone piece with the panels 2, so that several of such panels 2 can bemutually connected to one another, whereby these coupling means 7provide for an interlocking in a direction R1, perpendicular to theplane of the floor covering 1, as well as in a direction R2perpendicular to the edges 3-4 concerned, and parallel to the plane ofthe floor covering 1, whereby the above-mentioned coupling means 7 aremade such that two connected panels 2 can be turned about their couplededges towards one another toward their bottom side, starting from a flatposition, over at least a certain angle on the one hand, whereby thisturning movement makes it possible for the two above-mentioned panels 2to be removed from between other adjacent panels 2D and 2E on the otherhand.

Moreover, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 20 to 23, the couplingmeans 7 are made such that, as represented in FIG. 22, they make itpossible for the two panels 2 to be lifted at their coupled edges 3-4,from a flat position, such that there is a disconnection on at least oneof the opposite edges which provide for the connection with the adjacentpanels 2D and 2E. Thus, the panels 2 can be removed from an existingfloor covering 1 by first lifting them as mentioned above and bysubsequently turning the left panel 2 from FIG. 22 up, as represented bymeans of a dot and dash line, so that the left panel 2 of FIG. 22 can beremoved. Next, also the right panel 2 can be removed. The initiallifting of the panels 2 can take place in any way whatsoever, forexample by means of a suction cup or by sticking a hook or such throughan opening made in the floor covering, for example a bore hole.

FIGS. 20 to 26 represent variants whereby the coupling means 7 are madesuch that they make it possible for the two panels 2 to be lifted, froma flat position, with their coupled edges 3-4, such that the connection,in particular the vertical connection on the edges 3-4 concerned isundone. In this case, it is not necessary to disconnect the panels 2Dand/or 2E first in order to disconnect the two panels 2.

Both in the embodiment of FIGS. 20 to 23 and in the one of FIGS. 24 to26, the coupling means 7 mainly consist of a tongue 8 and a groove 9,whereby the lip 11 which is situated on the bottom side of the groove 9is longer than the lip 10 on the top side, and the interlocking ismainly obtained in the horizontal direction by means of an interlockingpart 13 on the lip 11 and an interlocking part 47 on the bottom side ofthe other panel 2 working in conjunction with it, whereby these couplingmeans 7 make it possible for the panels 2 to be assembled by means of aturning movement, and whereby, in the coupled position, there are spaces48-49 above the first-mentioned interlocking part 13, as well as underthe second-mentioned interlocking part 47, which allow for a furtherturning.

Practically, the above-mentioned interlocking parts 13-47 are positionedsuch that a lateral play S is created during the above-mentioned furtherturning, as is schematically represented in FIG. 21, so that a certainfreedom of movement is obtained which is desirable in order to removethe panels 2 from between the fixed panels 2D and 2E.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 24 to 26, this lateral play S, as well as thedesign of the tongue 8 and the groove 9, are selected such that theright panel 2, in the situation of FIG. 26, comes loose so to say andcan simply be removed from the left panel 2.

In particular, the distance Z1 between the tip of the tongue 8 and theinterlocking part 47 situated on the same edge is smaller than or equalto the distance Z2 between the tip of the lip 10 bordering the top sideof the groove 9 and the interlocking part 13 situated on the lip 11bordering the bottom side of the groove 9.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of FIGS. 20 to 26, the tongue8 is preferably made such that it can make a movement of rotation in thegroove 9, as said tongue 8 is more or less round, as represented inFIGS. 20 to 23, or because it is relatively short, as represented inFIGS. 24 to 26.

As represented, coupling means are preferably provided both on the shortedges and on the longitudinal edges which allow for an interlocking bothin the vertical and in the horizontal direction, whereby they can all bemade such that they allow for a connection and disconnection asdescribed above by means of FIGS. 20 to 26. It is also possible to applythe coupling means represented in these figures only on the longitudinaledges, whereas coupling means with another shape are applied on theshort sides, for example as represented in FIG. 4.

The invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodimentsrepresented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a floorcovering can be made in different shapes and dimensions while stillremaining within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor covering panel comprising couplingprofiles on at least two opposite edges of the panel, said profilesconfigured so that several ones of such panels can be mutually coupledto one another along coupled edges, said coupling profiles configured soas to enable interlocking of the profiles in a direction perpendicularto a plane including the floor covering panel, as well as in a directionperpendicular to the panel edges and parallel to the plane of the floorcovering panel, said coupling profiles also being configured so thatwhen two coupled panels starting from a generally co-planar positionwith each coupled panel coupled to a respective adjacent panel areturned over towards one another toward their bottom sides over at leasta given angle, such turning movement enables said coupled panels to beuncoupled and removed from in between said adjacent panels that formpart of a floor covering assembly of said panels; and wherein thecoupling profiles comprise a tongue having a distal tip and a groove,said groove having a top side and a bottom side, an upper lip having adistal tip extending from the top side and a lower lip extending fromthe bottom side, said lower lip extending distally longer than the upperlip away from the groove, a first interlocking part on the lower lip anda second interlocking part cooperating with the first interlocking parton the bottom side of another similar panel coupled thereto, saidcoupling profiles enabling coupled panels to be assembled by means of aturning movement about a pair of coupled edges, and said couplingprofiles when coupled creating spaces above the first interlocking partand under the second interlocking part enabling said turning movement ofthe panels relative to each other toward their bottom sides.
 2. Thefloor covering panel according to claim 1, wherein the coupling profilesare configured to enable said two coupled panels to be lifted at theircoupled edges from a flat generally co-planar position, so that there isuncoupling along at least one of the opposed coupled edges along anadjacent panel.
 3. The floor covering panel according to claim 1, saidcoupling profiles configured so as to enable said two coupled panels tobe lifted at their mutual coupled edges from a flat, co-planar positionso that at least vertical uncoupling between the two coupled panels isobtained.
 4. The floor covering panel according to claim 1, wherein thefirst and second interlocking parts are positioned so that a lateralplay is created as a result of turning coupled panels toward theirbottom sides relative to each other beyond a co-planar relationship. 5.The floor covering panel according to claim 4, wherein the lateral play,as well as the configuration of the tongue and the groove, are selectedsuch that the panel having a tongue comprising the coupling profilesbecomes substantially loose at the edge where this tongue is located. 6.The floor covering panel according to claim 1, wherein the distancebetween the distal tip of the tongue and the interlocking part locatedon the same edge is smaller than or equal to the distance between thedistal tip of the upper lip and the first interlocking part located onthe lower lip.
 7. The floor covering panel according to claim 1, whereineach panel comprises a fiberboard material selected from the groupconsisting of MDF and HDF.
 8. A floor covering panel according to claim1, wherein said coupling profiles are made in one piece with the panel.